Barcode Scanner Removed from Playstore After Infecting Over 10 Million Phones: How to Delete This App

Barcode scanner, one of Android's most-used apps has been deleted in Google Playstore after injecting malware to over 10 million Android phones after an update.

How the Barcode Scanner Became a Threat to Smartphone Users

Since 2017, the Barcode Scanner app has been widely used as both barcode and QR code scanner. Basically, it is a handy application from the Google Playstore for Android phone users. It was owned by Lavabird Ltd which has over 10 million downloads.

It was useful when claiming discounts during purchase, as well as transferring data. Its legitimacy was not questioned due to its efficiency and ease of use, so users trusted the software even though it underwent many updates until it became a cyber threat just recently.

In a report by Malwarebytes, several complaints among users arose, mainly because of annoying ads that appeared on their Android devices. Moreover, the installation of the new application will likely open a portal of the malware and unwanted programs to be installed unknowingly on the phone.

A number of people reported that their browsers crashed and many ads keep popping up everywhere. To some users, assessing the root of the problem is hard since they did not know what app caused the hijack. However, an unknown user discussed it and the blame was put on the Barcode scanner.

It was later confirmed by Malwarebytes that a new update, which happened in December posed great harm to the cybersecurity of the Android users. According to them, the app transformed from "an innocent scanner to full-on malware."

"It is frightening that with one update an app can turn malicious while going under the radar of Google Play Protect. It is baffling to me that an app developer with a popular app would turn it into malware," the researchers said.

In accordance with the statement, the researchers told that the ad-pushing malware from the Barcode scanner was different from the other ad SDKs-programs. They continued that whoever manipulated the app has a pure intention of installing malware through an update.

Still, it's not the perfect time to relax after the app was removed from the Google Playstore since it is not yet entirely deleted in the affected phones.

How to Delete the App In your Phone

Like any other applications on your phone, just follow the basic instruction of uninstalling an app:

1. Click the Google Play Store app and open it

2. Now, go to the Menu, then click My apps & games

3. After searching for all the apps on your phone, click the Barcode Scanner app then uninstall

If you are still not sure whether you have deleted already the app, follow these steps:

1. Install the AppChecker

2. Search for "barcode scanner"

3. There are several links that will show up, but make sure that it bears a link named "com.qrcodescanner.barcodescanner." After confirming that it exists, delete it.

4. Furthermore, you can check by trying the Play Store link of the Barcode scanner if it is still there on your phone.

Remember that if you have unused apps in your phone, make sure to check them one by one. Who knows that they could be someday an outlet of the next adware attack?

This article is owned by Tech Times.

Written by Joen Coronel